Second Young Madam Lou is very fond of Zhi, and over the past two years, she often had various toys sent over by people from the mansion. However, she herself only visited once... Upon seeing Zhi, her eyes welled up with tears, yet she smiled and said that if it weren’t for the generational gap, she would shamelessly ask to become Zhi’s godmother...

Xiqiu understood that since her miscarriage three years ago, her health had never been good. The chances of conceiving again were too slim, and even if she did, it would be difficult to carry to term, so, being childless, she cared for Zhi all the more...

In the end, she never got to become Zhi’s godmother.

Xiqiu felt a deep ache in her heart. Such a young, vibrant life full of charm, after two years of effort and protection, was still lost.

She thought back to her only visit to Shouning Bo Mansion, where she had greeted her with a smile, standing beside Madam Lou. The two of them, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, appeared as close as mother and daughter. Even Old Madam Lou had nothing but praise for this granddaughter-in-law, often saying that if not for her poor health, she would surely have been a capable and dutiful child.

"You go prepare first." With her thoughts shifting, Xiqiu instructed Nanny Cen, "Follow the usual rules, then go ask First Madam about their customs..." Xuanning Marquis Mansion is the legitimate residence, unlike the main wife here; she can’t overstep the legitimate customs of Shouning Bo.

"Yes, right away!" Nanny Cen turned to leave, then thought better of it and called Chunliu in, "Go make some preparations; we’re heading to the Grand Dowager’s."

Chunliu was momentarily puzzled, then understood Xiqiu’s intention and nodded, "I’ll prepare the carriage." She then went out to summon Bihuai and Biwu to assist. After Xiqiu changed her clothes, she turned to Biwu and said, "Bring Zhi back!"

In no time, Zhi, who was in the backyard playing with birds, was found. Xiqiu helped him change his clothes, saying, "We’re going to visit Grandmother."

"Alright!" Zhi nodded, waving the birdcage in his hand and asked, "Should we bring this along?" Xiqiu adjusted his clothing, "No, let’s leave it here to guard the house for us, okay?"

Zhi obediently nodded, "Then let’s go." He handed the birdcage to Mrs. Zhou, turned, and took Xiqiu’s hand, "I’ll support you." Xiqiu was taken aback; it was the first time she’d heard Zhi say such a thing, so she asked, "Why did you suddenly think to support your mother?" They spoke as they walked out.

Zhi looked at Xiqiu with a sidelong glance and smiled, "Brother said so too!"

It turned out he had been listening to Min... She thought he was up front with Qingshan discussing grilled fish and hadn’t noticed her conversation with Min, but he’d heard it all and remembered it.

The cold feeling in her heart from before was, to a large extent, warmed by Zhi’s smile, and she smiled softly, "Zhi, you’re so good!" and let Zhi support her down the steps out of the yard, where they got into a blue-roofed sedan chair and boarded the carriage at the Yimen gate.

"Mother," Zhi nestled against Xiqiu, looking up at her, "Are you unhappy?" Xiqiu was taken aback at his words and looked down at him, "Why would you think I’m unhappy?"

Zhi pondered for a moment and replied earnestly, "When Mother is unhappy, she doesn’t talk."

"Is that so." Xiqiu hugged her son and planted a kiss on his cheek, "I didn’t know Zhi is so observant, paying such close attention!" Zhi also wrapped his arms around Xiqiu’s neck, imitating her by planting two kisses on her cheek, grinning broadly, "Is Mother happy now?"

"No," Xiqiu shook her head!

Zhi tilted his head, pouted, and kissed Xiqiu twice more on the cheek, "Are you happy now?"

"No!"

"What about now..."

The carriage rolled through the Marquis Mansion’s Yimen gate; mother and son disembarked and transferred to a clear curtain small oil car. Arriving outside the Grand Dowager’s courtyard, Ziwei, having received the news early, was at the door to greet them, "Fourth Madam!" Xiqiu nodded slightly, asking, "Is Mother well?"

"She’s crying," Ziwei said as she and Xiqiu each took one of Zhi’s hands, leading him inside, "She’s worried about Old Madam Lou’s health. First Madam sent Nanny Tang over to check, but she hasn’t returned yet."

Xiqiu’s gaze flickered as she nodded and then glanced down at Zhi, who looked up at her with a sunny smile.

"Mother," Xiqiu, upon entering the room, saw the Grand Dowager sitting with a haggard expression on the Arhat Bed, wiping her tears. First Madam stood beside her with a worried brow; upon hearing Xiqiu’s voice, First Madam turned to her, nodding slightly, "Fourth Sister-in-law." The Grand Dowager also looked up, wiping her eyes, "Why have you come?" She then looked at Zhi, "Has my precious also come? Come to Grandmother!"

"Grandmother!" Zhi ran happily to the Grand Dowager’s side, "I missed you so much." He then turned to First Madam, "Auntie, I missed you too."

The Grand Dowager broke into a smile, pinching Zhi’s cheek, "Such a sweet talker, we only saw each other yesterday and you miss me already?" Zhi nodded, pulling the handkerchief from the Grand Dowager’s hand to wipe her tears, "I miss you if I don’t see you for a day."

The Grand Dowager laughed, and the sadness on her face eased a bit.

"Mother!" Xiqiu went up to pay her respects, then greeted First Madam. The Grand Dowager nodded, "Sit down quickly." Then she turned to the playful Zhi, "Are you hungry? Shall Grandmother have them make you something delicious?"

"Yes!" Zhi nodded eagerly, "I love the food here."

The Grand Dowager’s face was all smiles.

The Grand Dowager was fine, her health now was not as good as it used to be, and she could not withstand any shock. She had always been close to Old Madam Lou and shared a strong bond with the women of the Lou family, often sending good things to the various madams of the Lou family. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Now that Second Young Madam Lou had suddenly passed away, the Grand Dowager must have felt distressed.

Smiling slightly, Xiqiu and First Madam each took a seat, watching the grandchild and grandmother chatting away excitedly. Though sometimes their conversation seemed disjointed and unrelated, they were thoroughly engaged. The Grand Dowager’s complexion visibly improved, and First Madam looked at Xiqiu with a gentle smile, "I was just worrying about how to console her, and fortunately, you brought him along to lighten the mood."

Xiqiu smiled, lips pursed, and First Madam continued, "Seven sets of offerings should be sent, with everything else following the old customs." This was to inform Xiqiu on how to offer condolences; Xiqiu nodded slightly, "Understood!"

First Madam nodded back, standing up to take Zhi’s hand, "Would you like to come play with me?"

Zhi looked at the Grand Dowager, then at Xiqiu, smiled and took First Madam’s hand, saying, "Sure!" Then he hopped down from the Grand Dowager’s lap, "Grandmother, I’m going to play with Auntie."

"Go on, be careful not to bump or hurt yourself," the Grand Dowager said, then turned to Bilian, "You go with them."

Bilian acknowledged and went along.

First Madam led Zhi by the hand, and the two of them left the room.